Night out for the cause

2012 Mautner Project Gala (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Several local LGBT groups have their biggest events of the year in the coming weeks. Some of the galas planned include:

Mautner Project’s Gala and Dance takes place on Saturday at 5:45 p.m. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel (2500 Calvert St., NW). The Gala is to celebrate 23 years of support and community. The evening will include both a live and silent auction, a reception and a dinner by the Electric Rainbow Dance Party. Lesbian comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer will emcee. Tickets are $225. Attendees can sponsor the event by donating $600-$20,000. Attendees who would like to start the party early can purchase VIP reception tickets for $50. The reception begins at 5 p.m. For more information, visit gala.mautnerproject.org. Maryland Del. Maggie McIntosh is slated to receive an award. Look for an appearance from Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley as well.

McIntosh told the Blade’s Michael Lavers in an interview last week that she’s optimistic about Senate Bill 449, a transgender rights bill before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. “The House has passed it before, I think it’s a fairly easy pass in the House,” she said. “Wherever Equality Maryland and Sen. [Rich] Madaleno point us, we go.”

Outserve-SLDN hosts its 2013 national dinner to honor the nation’s LGBT service members, veterans and their families also on Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the National Building Museum (401 F St., NW). The evening starts with a cocktail reception with the dinner beginning at 7:30 p.m. This is a black tie, military or semi-formal event and valet parking will be available. Tickets are $100-$2,500. For more information, visit sldn.org.

Equality Virginia has its 10^th annual Commonwealth Dinner at the Greater Richmond Convention Center (403 North Third St., Richmond) on April 6 at 6 p.m. The dinner is the largest black-tie gala gathering for Virginia’s LGBT community. The evening will be full of live entertainment from noted invitees, a silent auction and a chance to win prizes while bidding on weekend getaways, dinners out and other prizes. The evening’s special guest is Newark Mayor Cory Booker, a rising political star who is known for his longtime support of LGBT equality. Tickets are $125 and VIP tickets are $250. For more information, visit equlityvirginia.org.

Team D.C. hosts SportsFest on April 11 at Room & Board (1840 14^th St., N.W.). The evening provides attendees with the opportunity to learn about all the opportunities the Washington region has to offer in terms of LGBT sports and recreational activities. A $10 donation gets three drink tickets plus other great surprises. One of the new clubs that will be featured at the event is the D.C. Triathlon Club, a new club from the area. The event is free. For more information, visit teamdcsports.com.

Whitman-Walker Health holds its fundraising event “Be the Care” cocktail reception and awards presentation to benefit the organization on April 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (1250 New York Ave., NW). The dinner helps Whitman-Walker provide heath services to the community. Attendees are expected to dress in business attire. Individual tickets are $150 and emerging leader event tickets are $75. For more information, visit whitman-walker.org.

Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce holds its 2013 annual awards dinner on April 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the historic Mayflower Renaissance (1127 Connecticut Ave., NW). The dinner will honor exceptional business leaders and showcase the achievement and impact of LGBT business in the Washington region. Attendees are asked to buy their tickets before March 22. Tickets are $175- $465. For more information, visit caglcc.org.

Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington hosts its 42nd anniversary reception at the Washington Plaza Hotel (10 Thomas Circle, NW) on April 25 from 6:30-9 p.m. The evening will feature a presentation of the 2013 Distinguished Service Awards to Diana Bruce, Clarence Fluker, Brent Minor, Peter Rosenstein and Jason Terry. Tickets are $55 and a range of donor levels are available. For more information, visit glaa.org. Go here to order tickets online. A flyer is here.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington presents its “Disco Inferno: Spring Affair Gala Fundraiser,” on April 27 at the Grand Hyatt (1000 H St., NW). The night will be filled with cocktails, huge live and silent auctions, dinner, Chorus entertainment and an after party. Tickets are $175-$300. For more information, visit gmcw.org.

Staff writer Michael K. Lavers contributed to this article.